Every Sega Master System Game #32 Wonder Boy*
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Wonder Boy for the Sega Master System is a rough game.
The controls are rather solid in comparison with previously released Sega Master System action platformer titles like Alex Kidd and Ghost House, but they're by no means perfect. Your character tends to slip and slide on the ground after jumps, often leading you to fall into pits if you jump to the far right edge of a platform or run right into flames in more precise jumping puzzles. You're also lacking in jump correction, so you tend to be committed to your jumps. What this means is Wonder Boy is a game best played slow and cautious. The problem with this is that the hunger meter can often intimidate players into rushing through stages in fear of the meter running out. After much playing I've noticed that the meter is rather slow on counting down, so if you manage to pick up most of the fruits on your way through, you don't have to worry about starving.
This also isn't really a game you'd want to sit through to beat. While the first 2-3 worlds are rather fair and enjoyable, everything after that is really cranked up in challenge. Thankfully, this game comes with infinite continues which always leave you at the level you game over'd on, so with enough trial and error (along with plenty of patience), you should be able to get through this title.
Despite how hard I've been on this game, I truly think it is a rather fun title. I just think that fun only surfaces once you get used to it and figure out how to approach it, because if you play it purely to beat it you'll just frustrate yourself. The game shines when you pick it up every once and a while to play a round, rather than sitting through it for 2+ hours. If you just approach it trying to get high scores and trying to get ever so closer to the end on one continue, I think you'll really enjoy this challenging game.
Now, I hope I get to the much better Wonder Boy sequels soon.
7/10
__________________________________________________________________________
Wonder Boy for the Sega Master System is a rough game.
The controls are rather solid in comparison with previously released Sega Master System action platformer titles like Alex Kidd and Ghost House, but they're by no means perfect. Your character tends to slip and slide on the ground after jumps, often leading you to fall into pits if you jump to the far right edge of a platform or run right into flames in more precise jumping puzzles. You're also lacking in jump correction, so you tend to be committed to your jumps. What this means is Wonder Boy is a game best played slow and cautious. The problem with this is that the hunger meter can often intimidate players into rushing through stages in fear of the meter running out. After much playing I've noticed that the meter is rather slow on counting down, so if you manage to pick up most of the fruits on your way through, you don't have to worry about starving.
This also isn't really a game you'd want to sit through to beat. While the first 2-3 worlds are rather fair and enjoyable, everything after that is really cranked up in challenge. Thankfully, this game comes with infinite continues which always leave you at the level you game over'd on, so with enough trial and error (along with plenty of patience), you should be able to get through this title.
Despite how hard I've been on this game, I truly think it is a rather fun title. I just think that fun only surfaces once you get used to it and figure out how to approach it, because if you play it purely to beat it you'll just frustrate yourself. The game shines when you pick it up every once and a while to play a round, rather than sitting through it for 2+ hours. If you just approach it trying to get high scores and trying to get ever so closer to the end on one continue, I think you'll really enjoy this challenging game.
Now, I hope I get to the much better Wonder Boy sequels soon.
7/10